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5 Reasons Cat Parents Should Have Pet Insurance

Publikováno od autora: Catipsblog

The post 5 Reasons Cat Parents Should Have Pet Insurance appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.

As a pet parent, you do a lot to care for your pet- feeding, bathing and providing shelter. Have you considered signing up for a pet insurance plan? There are a number of reasons why this is a good idea for cat parents, and we want to share with you the top five:

1) You Save Money

If your cat suffers a serious injury or contracts a major sickness, then it is possible that the treatment costs would be astronomically high. It’s not uncommon to have to pay thousands of dollars for treatment in these cases. Pet insurance can greatly reduce and even eliminate those costs for you.

2) Peace of Mind

As your cat ages, it is more susceptible to serious inquiry or disease. If you want the option to be able to treat your pet immediately when it needs treatment, then pet insurance allows you to do that. You won’t have to worry about whether you can afford treatment, and you can rest easy knowing your pet will be cared for.

3)Cover Costs You Would Normally Second Guess

Pet insurance doesn’t just have to cover treatment for an injury or an illness. It can also be used to cover behavioral therapy. Without the insurance, you might not consider taking your cat in for behavioral treatment, but if your insurance is covering it, then you won’t have to second guess it. Your cat can enjoy a better quality of life, and you’ll have a cat that is pleasanter to be around.

4)Eliminate the Euthanasia Option

You want your pet to live as long as possible, but there may come a time where your pet needs treatment that is prohibitively expensive. If you have pet insurance, then you don’t have to consider euthanizing your pet and you can give your cat the treatment it requires.

5)Ideal for Older Cats

Senior cats need more medical care, and they are more expensive to treat than younger ones. They tend to have more health problems, but you can ensure your cat is taken care of while keeping your costs down with pet insurance.

To find out more about pet insurance for cats and what it can do for you, read this guide from All about Cats.

About the Author

Hop over to We’re All About Cats and show Pedro and his family some love! And be sure to
like their Facebook Page!

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Vegan Pet Food – Gen Z Fad or Genuinely Good?

Publikováno od autora: Marc-André

The post Vegan Pet Food – Gen Z Fad or Genuinely Good? appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.

Plant-based food is on the rise, and not just among humans, it has made its way into our pet’s bowls too!

Modern pet parents are advocating for vegan diets for their pets due to environmental, ethical and health reasons.

But is vegan pet food just a fad, and more importantly, is it safe – especially when it comes to cats?

It’s the question that’s dividing opinion and causing daily debates, but the movement doesn’t show signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Millennials are driving plant-based diets for dogs and swapping traditional kibble and heavily-processed foods for more natural ingredients*

And 60% of gen z dog lovers think it’s healthier to limit meat in their dog’s diet**

So, can pets be completely vegan? What do the experts say? And who is right?

In honour of Veganuary, Buddycare has all the evidence from both sides so you can be the judge!

What the experts say 

British Veterinary Association (BVA)  

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is the national body for veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom and is a not-for-profit organisation.

The BVA does not recommend giving a dog a vegetarian or a vegan diet as, while it is theoretically possible, it is difficult to get the balance of essential nutrients right.

“We would not recommend feeding a dog a vegan diet as it’s much easier to get the balance of nutrients wrong than to get it right, leading to a risk of dietary deficiencies and associated disease,” said Justine Shotton, Senior Vice President of the British Veterinary Association.

“As an evidence-based organisation, the BVA will continue to follow and assess all emerging evidence regarding vegan, as well as other, novel diets”. Justine Shotton added.

Andrew Knight, Veterinary Professor, University of Winchester 

If you’ve fallen down the vegan pet food rabbit hole, you’ll have likely stumbled across Veterinary Professor, Andrew Knight already.

The professor is a huge advocate for plant-based diets for pets as a result of his discoveries during research.

Professor Knight said his study showed that cats and dogs had as good, or better, health outcomes on plant-based diets as they did when fed on meat pet foods, provided these were carefully formulated with additional synthetic nutrients***

These synthetic supplements are added to vegan pet food to ensure that furry family members get all the nutrients they need daily.

However, there currently isn’t any scientific evidence to say whether the synthetic nutrients are safe long term for animals or if they can be used in the body in their synthetic form as easily as in their natural form.

Professor Knight, along with his colleagues (Huang E, Rai N, Brown H) published a research paper on April 13th 2022 that reported from the findings of 2639 dogs, that “the pooled evidence to date indicates that the healthiest and least hazardous dietary choices for dogs, are nutritionally sound vegan diets.”****

The peer-reviewed analysis revealed that vegan dogs visit the vet less often and require fewer medications.

Subsequently, this study caused widespread controversy within the vet world, causing the BVA and other professional bodies to bite back.

“There is currently a lack of robust large-scale data mapping the health consequences of feeding a vegan diet to dogs over their lifetimes, so we look forward to further research on whether non-animal protein sources can meet a dog’s dietary requirements throughout life.

“We know there are limitations to owner-reported data, which can only provide one aspect of the picture, so we’re also keen to see future studies assessing clinical data in order to build a more holistic view of the health impact of vegan diets on dogs”.

You can read Andrew Knight’s first research study from 2016 here and his more recent and second extensive study, here. You can also listen to a webinar summary of Professor Knight’s work here.

What About Cats? 

Whilst Professor Knight’s research might put forward a persuasive case for vegan dog food, many still aren’t convinced when it comes to cats.

The head of veterinary services at the Blue Cross charity advised against vegan pet food adding “Pets need a balanced diet, cats in particular have very specific nutritional needs which would be unlikely to be met by a vegan diet”.

Justine Shotton Vice President of the BVA stated:  “While on paper a vegan diet for cats may include supplements or alternatives to animal-based protein, for example, there is no guarantee that these would be bioavailable to the cat or that they wouldn’t interfere with the action of other nutrients. That is why robust, peer-reviewed research is needed to ensure that non-animal protein sources can meet the pet’s dietary requirements”*****

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means it is much harder or even impossible to meet their nutritional needs without feeding them meat.

Many of the essential nutrients cats require, such as taurine, preformed vitamin A and cysteine are minimal or non-existent in plant ingredients.

Currently, there is not sufficient evidence to suggest that commercially available vegan or vegetarian cat food is safe for your cat.

Cats require 11 different amino acids that are essential for life but the most important are taurine and arginine. Deficiency can cause health-related issues such as blindness, heart failure, and problems with the immune system.

Taurine cannot be made from plant-based sources, so a synthetic alternative has to be used. A direct approach to making this in the laboratory involves the reaction of aziridine with sulfurous acid. This is naturally available in meat and fish.

There are currently no scientific studies as to whether cats can use these synthetic forms and if they are safe in the long term.

What Vegan Dog Food Experts, The Pack say 

But back to dogs again and for this part, we’re handing it over to the vegan dog food company, The Pack.

Co-founded by the husband-and-wife duo and committed environmentalists, Judy Nadel and Damien Clarkson, The Pack is out to prove that plant-based is better for our dog’s health.

“Here at THE PACK, canine health comes first: that’s the primary reason we decided that our nutritionally complete, drool-inducing meals wouldn’t include any animal products.

Today’s domestic dogs are deep in a health crisis, with rates of cancer and obesity soaring, and the science shows that plant-based dog diets are not only safe for our omnivorous friends but potentially offer a wealth of health benefits.

These include weight management, protection against allergies, reduction of arthritis symptoms, improved immunity and even longevity: plant-based superfoods like those found in THE PACK can help our dogs fight cancer and enhance overall vitality.

What’s more, switching your dog to a meat-free diet has enormous benefits for the planet. As more pet parents feed premium ‘human grade’ or raw meat instead of by-products, farm animals are being bred and killed specifically for dog food.

Research in 2020 showed that the pet food industry produces almost 3% of the total CO2 emissions from farming: the same amount of CO2 produced by a sixth of global flights.

We’ve conducted a carbon footprint analysis to show that our vegan dog food produces significantly less CO2 than meat-based food (in the case of beef-based dog food, over 17 times less!).

Finally, many dog parents worry that their dogs won’t like vegan food. Yet not only do we see dogs go wild for THE PACK, there’s science to back up canine enjoyment of plant-based dinners.

An article last year, surveying over 2000 owners, found “no consistent evidence of a difference [in enjoyment of] vegan diets and either conventional or raw meat diets” Judy and Damien added.

If you want to find out more, our eBook Raising a Happy, Healthy, Plant-based Dog makes the science around dog nutrition accessible and debunks mythologies around plant-based versus meat-based dog diets. All backed up with links to the latest research and evidence!”

What Buddycare says 

Dogs are omnivores just like the wild wolves they’ve descended from. Meaning our canine companions can remain healthy on both animal-based and plant foods.

Cats are obligate carnivores and need meat to live long full lives. It’s easy to get a vegan diet wrong for cats with catastrophic results for their health. It’s best to think twice and get specialist advice before considering starting your feline on plant-based food.

However, there is no one size fits all diet when it comes to our pets.

Whether you choose wet, raw, dry, cold-pressed, home-prepared, meat-based or plant-fuelled food, is completely your call.

But naturally, we all want the best for our beloved buddies. That’s why we advise all pet owners to do the research and keep pets safe, happy and healthy at home.

Check that any pre-prepared food or homemade meals follow a “complete diet” and contain all the nutrients your pet needs.

If you are considering feeding a vegan diet to your pet, it’s important that you consult with a vet first.

All animals are individuals and some pets may have dietary requirements that can’t be met on a plant-based diet.

Vets can point you in the direction of a food manufacturer whose vegan pet food is developed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

A veterinary professional can also help you get the balance of nutrients right if you want to limit meat in your pet’s diet.

Pet owners can book free online consultations with a qualified Buddycare vet nurse for diet help and nutritional support, here.

We welcome new advances in scientific research for further insight into whether keeping your pet on a vegan diet is safe and better for health in the long term.

The Verdict 

So, cut to the chase, is vegan pet food good for our buddies? Well, as you can see it all depends on who you ask!

It seems like nobody can agree when it comes to a plant-based pet diet – Not even the scientists and experts.

For many, there is a lack of long-term studies to support that it’s completely safe. For others, the health benefits are beyond clear.

One thing that can’t be denied – plant-based food Is certainly kinder for the planet.

Recent research at the University of Edinburgh revealed that making meat-based food for cats and dogs uses up a landmass twice the size of the UK every year!

Vegan pet food does have its many perks, but everyone has their own pet parenting style.

Just like sharing the bed with your cats or letting your dog kiss you in the mouth, it’s your choice!

Just remember not all pet food is created equal, whether it’s packed with plants or meat-based.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to make informed decisions when it comes to your pet’s nutrition.

Maybe we should all meat somewhere in the middle.

Sources:

*https://www.petgazette.biz/195180-millennials-driving-plant-based-diets-for-dogs-vetchef-finds/

**https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/2437205/Codec%20-%20ethical%20pet%20parents-1.pdf

***https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/20/vegan-pet-food-as-healthy-for-cats-and-dogs-as-meat-says-veterinary-professor

****https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/apr/13/vegan-diets-are-healthier-and-safer-for-dogs-study-suggests

*****https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/should-dogs-and-cats-be-fed-a-vegan-diet-bva-issues-statement-in-response-to-media-flurry/

https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/bva-bites-back-as-vegan-dog-diet-storm-heats-up/

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Understanding the low Petting Threshold in Cats by Anita Kelsey

Publikováno od autora: Anita Kelsey - Cat Behaviour Consultant

The post Understanding the low Petting Threshold in Cats by Anita Kelsey appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.

Understanding the low petting threshold in cats. 

By London cat behaviourist Anita Kelsey

Two common issues I come across in my cat behaviour and grooming practise, is low petting aggression and cats that do not like being picked up. Both issues rely on a change of expectations from owners when it comes to how a ‘pet’ should be. It’s a difficult area, especially when it comes to grooming these types of cats, because, of course A: cat owners want and expect something back from the animals they care for and B: grooming is a necessity for cats with long fur.

It was, therefore, interesting to read an article in the March issue of Your Cat , by Sue Parslow, about this very subject. Entitled Handle With Care (pages 14,15,16), Sue discusses a more hands off approach with cats and highlights the fact that many cats do not like the barrage of attention and holding that humans like to lavish on them.

low petting threshold in cats

First of all, Lets look at Low Petting Aggression. It’s actually becoming a common feature of my visits leaving owners feeling rejected and scared of their cats. Low petting aggression happens when a cat is conflicted by the need for closeness from the owners and the dislike of being stroked for too long.  This causes inner conflict which erupts with an aggressive response in an attempt to stop the physical touching. This type of aggression can also be due to over stimulation and arousal but still leaving the cat with conflicted emotions. Some cats have a very low threshold which can be seconds whilst others can go for much longer before lashing out. Usual signs that a cat is becoming irritated are:

  • Swishing of the tail
  • Rippling of back (over stimulation)
  • Ears back or flatter
  • Hissing

Sometimes the cat will show no signs of irritation but will simply lash out, seemingly without reason and leaving the owner feeling shaken and with a bad scratch or bite wound.

LIVING ALONGSIDE A CAT WITH A LOW PETTING THRESHOLD

The biggest challenge when living with cats that don’t like too much stroking is to recognise that not all cats like to be touched the way we think they do. And this is where respect and lower expectations come into play. First of all a cat may like to come and inspect their human and to place their scent on them as a way of greeting them or certain guests that visit the home. This is not a green light to reach out to stroke the cat with a low petting threshold. This is a greeting that the cat likes and can ‘handle’. It is best to get on the level of the cat and to relax the arm downwards so that the hand is there for the cat to rub against. A cat may like to do this several times, purring away to show contentment. Some cats may hiss and attack straight away should that relaxed hand then reach above them to stroke their head! So, first things first. Watch and listen to your cat.

  • What makes them relaxed?
  • What are their likes and dislikes?
  • How long do they enjoy a stroke before you see signs of discontent?
  • Do they actually look like they enjoy being picked up?

Understanding a cat’s body language and respecting what your cat wants and feels is the way to achieving a balanced relationship without the human caretaker getting harmed.

As Sarah Fisher, a Teddington Touch practitioner, righty states:

When your cat sits on your lap, it’s likely he just wants your body warmth and to be close to you. He doesn’t necessarily want a lot of fuss while he’s there

Which leads us to the question:

How much touching and attention do our cats really like?

In the Your Cat article, mentioned above, Vikki Halls, author of many books on cats, speaks about the need for reflection and a change of approach when it comes to cat owner expectations and it’s an approach I have spoken about at length on many of my feline behaviour consultations in the past. I quote:

Imagine,whenever you walk into a room, you’re immediately greeted with over the top enthusiasm . After high pitched greetings and baby talk, you were scooped up, smothered in kisses and squeezed. If that happens every single time you encounter that person, you are going to stop going into the room where they are. You would probably start to avoid them altogether.

We should be slowing down and tuning into the signals our cats are struggling to communicate to us, in terms of how they like to be handled. A less demanding or imposing approach will mean you may see more of your cat. Cats prefer low intensity, less intrusive interactions, in short bursts.

They prefer to be in control; when they say it ends it should end. Full on body and eye contact, and constant touch, are alien to most cats. We should be more sophisticated in how we read our cats. It’s a hard truth that cats learn to tolerate certain interactions that they feel uncomfortable about, as a means to an end.

But my cat loves me and wants me to touch them?

I hear this many times but again it is down to reading signals from your cat and not assuming that just because it head butts your leg that it wishes to be rubbed frantically on the head and scooped up like carrying a baby. Some with cats that show their belly to you. This is a sign that a cat is feeling very comfortable within its territory and within your presence but is not a green light for a human hand to suddenly start doing the jazz hands rub over its most venerable area!

help with timid cat
Nelly enjoying closeness on a lap. Note how the hands are not stroking but gently placed for reassurance. Nelly is one of my timid rescue consultation cats. She has now blossomed and loves being close to her owner Cathy.

TOP TIPS ON HANDLING CATS

The best thing we can do for our cats is be mindful of their body language and understand touching and handling from their perspective. With all of the above in mind my top 5 tips would be:

  1. Be aware of body language and stop touching if your cat is getting twitchy or too aroused. A nip or scratch will be forthcoming if you continue to ignore the signs.
  2. Don’t be disappointed if your cat isn’t a lap cat. Many of the long hair breeds of cat overheat when sitting on our laps so prefer to sit beside us and as, Sarah Fisher (Tellington TTouch Instructor) rightly points out ‘accept that sharing the sofa with your cat is a compliment from that individual …
  3. Some cats do not want to be stroked whilst sitting on our laps but merely want to enjoy the warmth our laps bring (S Fisher – Your Cat) or to be close to us so, again, accept the compliment. One cat I know called Mish Mish had a very low tolerance level. I found out very early on, when she first sat on my lap, that stroking her resulted in a nasty bite with no prior warning!
  4. Get on a cats level and loosely hang the hand down for a cat to rub against it with no attempt to stroke the cat. Cats with low level handling tolerance love this approach and feel comfortable with it. Remember that some cats from rescue centres view the hand approaching them or reaching above their heads, with trepidation. Perhaps the movement is connected to a negative association from experiences in the past?

Teddington Touch has an excellent approach to cats that do not do well with high concentrated handling and touching. Among the techniques offered are light strokes with a feather or an artist watercolour brush, lightly stroking the head and cheeks. An area most cats love (S Fisher – Your Cat)

EXTRA HELP

Abu is keeping her distance but enjoying being in the same room as a human

Help should be sought by an accredited cat behaviourist should any cat owner be struggling with a cat that is excessively timid or phobic of strangers. Many things can be addressed including changing the territory to help these cats alongside gentle challenge exercises to help a cat gain confidence.

Every cat and case is different but understanding natural basic feline behaviour is a good starting point.

I hope you have enjoyed my article on low petting threshold in cats.

Please do post your handling and stroking tips with your kitties. Would love to hear your stories and feedback.

Good luck.

—————————————————

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anita Kelsey holds a first class honours degree in Feline Behaviour and Psychology (work based BA Hons) and runs a vet referral service dedicated strictly to the diagnosis and treatment of behaviour problems in cats. She is also a qualified cat groomer and specialises in grooming aggressive or phobic cats. Anita writes for Your Cat Magazine and is on their experts panel answering readers questions on cat grooming. She also advises on feline behaviour for the CFBA (Canine and Feline Behaviour) magazine as well as being a full member. Anita, a strong advocate of a vegan lifestyle, is based in Notting Hill, London but consults all over the UK as well as international requests. She lives with her husband, a music producer, and two Norwegian Forest cats, Kiki and Zaza.

Her debut booked, pictured left, is published by John Blake and is called Claws, Confessions Of A Cat Groomer.

Available from Amazon and all good book shops. Click here for an Etsy author signed copy with your message.

 

 

 

 

 

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Working with Animals

Publikováno od autora: Society of Companion Animal Studies
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The post Working with Animals appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.

For many of us, the new year prompts us to review our life goals. It’s a time when we consider if we are happy in our current job/career and, if not, what we can do to change it; after all we spend a large part of our life at work, so it is important that we enjoy our work.

Before pursuing any new job or career, it’s advisable to do some research to make sure that it suits your personal qualities, and fits with any goals, responsibilities and ambitions you have.

If you are considering a career change to something more meaningful or rewarding to you, you may be considering working with animals, If so, read on…

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If you have not worked with animals before, you may be asking:

Do I need qualifications and experience?

Whilst it is true, that for some jobs, qualifications and previous experience will be essential, there are other jobs that will provide training on the job and may even support you to undertake an apprenticeship or other qualification alongside your role. If you want to upskill and learn more about animals before making a career change, why not consider volunteering? It can increase your confidence, enhance your CV and give you an insight into future roles. There are also many colleges and universities that offer distance learning or part time animal related courses that can be undertaken to give you an advantage when applying for future jobs. Take some time to investigate your options as upskilling may be more possible than you think!

Will the salary be adequate?

Working with animals is generally low paid, particularly when starting out. So if a high salary is very important to you, then you will have to think about what type of job you should aim for, and whether it is feasible. Often salaries increase with experience and responsibilities so look at the bigger, long-term picture and keep that goal in mind.

Am I too old to change career?

The simple answer is no! People of all ages change career to work with animals. In fact, in many jobs it will be your ability to work and communicate with other people that will be equally as important as looking after the animals. Life skills you will have previously gained in other areas can be looked on very favourably by employers.

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So, what opportunities are there?

The opportunities are vast. Below, we have taken a look at a few, more common roles:

The Veterinary Industry
The veterinary industry has a few key roles. Veterinary surgeons (vets) who diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. Veterinary nurses who work alongside vets to care for animals, assist with procedures and advise owners on health and wellbeing. Veterinary care assistants who support both vets and veterinary nurses in practice; caring for animals and ensuring high standards of cleanliness. Veterinary receptionists and practice managers who keep provide managerial and administration support to ensure the smooth running of the practice.

Charity work
There are lots of different types of animal charities doing a variety of work such as rescuing and rehoming animals, educating people on the care of animals, training assistance animals and those involved in animal assisted interventions, and conducting research on animal behaviour and welfare. The nature of each role and its entry requirements will vary. Visit the careers sections of some of the animal charities that you are interested in to find out what roles are available and the entry requirements that are needed.

Animal trainer/behaviourist
To become an animal trainer and/or behaviourist you will need qualifications and experience. The opportunities are vast once qualified, for example, you could run your own training business, or work for a charity training dogs, or work in academia teaching others.

There are many different courses and qualifications available and it can be hard to know which are recognised by the industry. If you choose a qualification approved by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) you can’t go far wrong.

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How do I get started?

There is no better time to get started than now! Below are four top tips to help you on your way:

  1. Research – take a look at websites of organisations that you are interested in, A-Z of Animal Career Profiles | CAW Careers Advice and general online job boards to see what jobs are out there and what you need to do to be in a position to apply for them.
  2. Network – reach out to others who already have established careers doing what you feel might suit you. They can help you gain an insight what to expect and offer advice on how to achieve your goals. Many people are happy to share their experiences, but if you are uncomfortable emailing strangers there are groups on Facebook and LinkedIN where you can ask open questions and even build contacts.
  3. Attend careers events and college/university open days – these will give you the opportunity to speak to the relevant people and gather information about different careers and qualifications that may be open to you. Careers with Animals Day is an annual online careers event that is free and open to all.
  4. Gain experience – having hands on experience working with animals is invaluable and will boost your CV and confidence; see if you can source some regular voluntary work, this will also give you an insight into the work to help you decide if it really is what you were expecting.
  5. Take a course or qualification – before making the commitment to full time training or employment in the animal care or veterinary industry, you may wish to take a shorter course or qualification in animal care to help you gain more knowledge and understanding.

Whether this year is the year you decide to make that change, or if, after research you decide now is not the right time, good luck on your journey!

Why not bookmark the Society for Companion Animal Studies’ webpage on career and training opportunities relating to companion animals.

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Happy #TRT – Tummy Rub Tuesday (Week 436)

Publikováno od autora: Marc-André

The post Happy #TRT – Tummy Rub Tuesday (Week 436) appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.

Hello everyone,

Welcome to another week of Tummy Rub Tuesday!

The easiest way to enter is by sending them in via info@katzenworld.co.uk. Or just leave a comment with a link to the post / photo you’d like us to use on this blog post.

“An adorable entry to our series” Sent in by Charles via email.

“This is my Jakar.” Sent in via email by Jamie.

“My 4.5 year old rescue “Star” Lake Orion Michigan” Garry – Sent in via email

“Picture of S’mores who lives in Henderson, Nevada” From Jane, sent in via email.

Missed last weeks post? Why not check it out here.

Now we need ALL of you! Do you want to see your cat featured and join our fun blog roll? Follow the steps below. 😀

You can participate by sending us an email with your photo to info@katzenworld.co.uk – just let us know what you would like to have listed as source! 🙂

And to make it fair your cat photos don’t have to be a tummy shot we do understand that not all cats like showing off their belly! So any fun photo story will be fine but tummy ones will be even better 😀

And on next week’s #TRT we will be posting photos with links back to all you guys in the weekly Tummy Rub Tuesday post!!!

A big thank you to all participants from all of us here at Katzenworld.

Not on WordPress but would like to follow us? We are on Bloglovin too! 🙂

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Beyond Microchipping: Are Bluetooth & GPS Cat Trackers Worth Trying?

Publikováno od autora: Purringtonpost

Cat owners know the importance of microchipping. In fact, many shelters roll it into their adoption fees.

Peeva, a pet identification and database headquartered in New York, notes in its survey that one third of pets are reported missing in their lifetime, while more than 80% of these pets are never found. A more recent, 2018 study found that 15% of cat owners lost their pets in a five-year period, many sadly not reunited. Meanwhile, 51% of cats escaped when moving into a new house, showing how a routine life event can go suddenly wrong.

Microchips have proven to be “extremely reliable,” working “100% of the time if scanned and properly registered.” But this assumes that good Samaritans encountering ostensibly lost cats will take them to a shelter, and that, once there, animal welfare professionals have the good sense to scan for a microchip.

In this article, then, I’d like to explain the importance of microchipping, but in addition to this, I’d like to offer additional cat locating technologies you might seriously consider on top of a standard microchip: namely, Bluetooth and GPS trackers. These, in addition to a proper collar and ID tag, can help ensure, should your cat unfortunately go missing, you have the best chance of finding and being reunited with your beloved little furball! 

Microchipping: What It Does and Doesn’t Do

Don’t get me wrong; microchips are essential for cat owners. For example, microchips were present in 46% of missing cats and successfully used to locate them.

However, more shocking from this study is how anecdotal other methods of tracking devices were employed: Just one cat owner had a GPS tracking device affixed to their cat’s collar.

This begs a question that many cat owners have asked: Can you track a microchipped cat? As noted by Tractive GPS, a company who offers GPS trackers specifically for cats and dogs (we’ll discuss their product a little later!), cat microchips do not offer global positioning system (GPS) or any other navigation or location technology.

Microchips provide important contact information, but they need to be manually scanned to provide this information to veterinary professionals who have your cat in their presence.

Other forms of item locating technology can provide more real-time look at your cat’s present whereabouts.

Bluetooth® Trackers as Cat Locater

A study conducted by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA) reported that 30% of cat guardians found their missing cats in neighboring areas. Similarly, the earlier mentioned 2018 study found that 75% of cats were found within a 500 m radius of their point of escape.

Keeping this relative nearby proximity of wandering cats in mind, Bluetooth trackers make a lot of sense for cat owners to adopt. Bluetooth trackers connect to a network typically via an app, some which may charge a subscription, while others are free to use. A Bluetooth tracking community serves as a “mesh” network, where nearby users of that community can anonymously send you location updates periodically when an item starts to move. Users can create geofences, virtual perimeters around geographical locations (such as your house), and if an item assigned there starts to move, you’ll be notified.

There are a few kinds of Bluetooth trackers to choose from.

Consumer Bluetooth® trackers

  • Bluetooth trackers with Ultra-wide band: When it comes to consumer Bluetooth trackers, Apple’s AirTag is bar none, offering ultra-wideband which, put simply, offers pinpoint accuracy for item locating that’s far more exacting than wi-fi and standard Bluetooth technologies. Samsung offers a SmartTag+ with similar tech, though Apple undercuts Samsung’s price by about 10 bucks, and what’s more, Apple’s behemoth Find My network of avid Apple device users is hard for any manufacturer to touch, plus in true Apple fashion, they offer some pretty killer accessories to deck your cat’s collar out with, while household names like OtterBox offer rugged protection for your AirTag-turned cat tracker.
  • Standard Bluetooth trackers: While AirTags offer some serious functionality, consumer Bluetooth tracking brands like Tile and Chipolo have amassed some pretty impressive community tracking networks, and using their tracking hardware specifically for cats is not lost on either brand. Tile has created a resource on how you might use their trackers to find your cat faster, via their network, while Chipolo has created a cat-specific product!

Construction-grade Bluetooth trackers

Construction-grade Bluetooth trackers offer out-of-the-box durability that lends well to cat trackers—i.e., you’ll know they’ll stand up, should your cat escape in inclement weather, and this standard durability means you won’t have to buy additional protective coverings.

Furthermore, the Bluetooth tracker landscape in the construction industry has widely evolved over the years, with competitive offerings.

The DeWalt Tool Connect Tag, as an example, offers an onboard light feature that may be helpful for looking for lost animals in the dark. Hilti offers a Bluetooth “Smart” tag, though it comes with a steep price.

At Milwaukee Tool, in addition to offering a free app that’s amassed the largest Bluetooth relative to the construction industry, the newest Bluetooth hardware product has added cutting-edge features, like built-in near-field communication (NFC) and an accelerometer (for more precise location updates)! The free app can be set up easily, and users can add any “manufacturer” or “division,” like felines, to their inventory.

GPS Trackers as Cat Locaters

Of course, global positioning system (GPS) trackers offer the most precise location information as well as the most to-the-second, immediate location updates.

GPS, after all, is the same technology we rely on in our cars to provide turn-by-turn navigation to exact locations; hence, using this advanced locating technology makes sense and has its clear advantages.

One small caveat: GPS trackers can be pricier and energy consumptive, typically incurring ongoing data/subscription plans of some sort.

All this to say, smaller GPS trackers specifically designed for cats have their own unique benefits:

  • Tractive offers cat-specific product that’s pretty affordable at $29.99. Their required data plans are where the cost kicks in, but if you go with the basic plan, billed monthly, it’s cheaper than a standard Netflix subscription.
  • The Jiobit Smart Pet Tag is ultra-small and features a strap clip specifically designed for cat collars. A bit more expensive at $129.99 for the hardware and $14.99 for a monthly (no contract) data plan.
  • Weenect Cats 2: For those in the U.K., this cat tracker is waterproof (up to 1 meter deep), while purporting to be the smallest and lightest cat tracker in the world. The hardware costs £49.99, while a monthly subscription comes in £9,99.

Bottom Line

Owners should definitely always microchip their cats, but additional tracking technology—however advanced, durable (or both) you want it—can give you peace of mind that, if your cat wanders, you’ll be able to trace their steps back to you.

About the Author

Lucas Marshall is a professional writer, a cat person since youth, and is passionate about his role as “trained help” to his two beloved tabby cats. At Milwaukee® Tool, his job as Content Marketing Manager is to raise awareness and adoption of the company’s free-to-use SaaS platform, ONE-KEY™, and associated hardware products.

The post Beyond Microchipping: Are Bluetooth & GPS Cat Trackers Worth Trying? first appeared on The Purrington Post.

The post Beyond Microchipping: Are Bluetooth & GPS Cat Trackers Worth Trying? appeared first on The Purrington Post.

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Are you Thinking of Getting a cat? Questions to ask Yourself

Publikováno od autora: Marc-André

The post Are you Thinking of Getting a cat? Questions to ask Yourself appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.

Cats are wonderful companions – just being around them is beneficial for both your physical and mental health. Stroking a cat causes your brain to release serotonin and dopamine, which helps you to feel more relaxed. Cats are also relatively low maintenance compared to other pets, although they do still need care and attention. It’s important to do your research and evaluate your lifestyle before committing to giving a cat a home, particularly if you’re considering a kitten as they can be more work than you’d expect. Ask yourself the following questions:

Do you have a stable home environment?

If you don’t own your own home, it may not be the best time to get a cat. Even if you’re renting and you’re lucky enough that your current place allows pets, it’s still risky. Renting can be unpredictable and you could be forced to move at any time, which is not only stressful for a cat, but it can be very difficult to find another home that accepts pets. You could then be faced with rehoming your cat which is heartbreaking for everyone.

Do you have enough space?

Many cat rescues or shelters will require that home inspections are carried out before they allow you to adopt a cat. They will typically have a list of criteria you have to meet – some common ones are having a cat flap, living away from any busy roads and having enough space for a cat to explore.

Picture Source: Pixabay

If you live in a small flat or apartment, you’ll need to ensure that you’re getting a breed that will be happy living indoors and doesn’t require much space to run around. This really varies depending on the cat, so it’s important to do your research.

Do you have enough time?

Although cats don’t need to be taken on daily walks, they do still need stimulation to live a healthy life. It’s up to you whether your cat is allowed outdoors or stays indoors, but if they are indoors, they will need plenty of toys and playtime to keep them entertained.

Can you afford the upkeep?

With a cat comes many new expenses – food, beds, toys and vet bills. It’s a good idea to get some rough costs for each item and add up the monthly estimate to ensure that you can afford it. Vet bills are typically one-offs and can be hard to plan for, but you can make the costs more manageable and predictable by taking advantage of pet insurance.

Does anyone in your household have allergies?

Picture Source: Pixabay

If you have any doubts about a household member having a cat allergy, we would recommend trying to visit a friend with a cat or getting tested before committing to getting a cat. Cat allergies can have quite serious implications for some people and could force you to rehome your cat should someone be allergic. You can avoid this heartbreak by finding out beforehand.

If you’ve considered all of the questions above and feel like a cat is the right fit for you, that’s perfect. Now you get to begin the exciting journey of finding your new fluffy companion, and you can feel more confident about it knowing that you’ve done your research.

The post Are you Thinking of Getting a cat? Questions to ask Yourself appeared first on Katzenworld.

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DIYer Creates Stunning ‘Catio’ Interior For Under £100 With Aldi & IKEA Bargains

Publikováno od autora: Marc-André

The post DIYer Creates Stunning ‘Catio’ Interior For Under £100 With Aldi & IKEA Bargains appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.

  • Clare, 35, wanted to create a safe outdoor space for her cats

  • She built a ‘catio’ along the side of her house which was previously empty space

  • The interior was created using supplies which were recycled, free or bargain prices

  • Supplies include left-over Astroturf, an old kids play table and a drinks cabinet which was thrown out by a local pub

Those of us who share our home with furry felines will know all too well the stress that can come with letting them outside to explore. Sometimes our cats can go missing or get into dangerous situations, so how can we keep them safe while also allowing them to explore outside? One savvy DIYer came up with a way to give her cats the best of both worlds.

Clare Bryson, 35 from Perth, Scotland, who is a full-time advanced clinical practitioner in A&E, mum of 2 kids aged 6 and 9 and who posts her DIY adventures on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube as Blondybuilder, told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk: ‘After our last kitten got killed on the road, I decided to get two ragdolls. These are generally indoor cats, but I wanted to give them an outdoor safe space as I’ve never liked the thought of cats being stuck inside their whole lives.

‘I had a cat flap in my utility side door still in situ from the last kitten and had the idea of making an outdoor space on the other side. It was just a path along the side of the house where I stored my bins so essentially wasted space.

‘Some of my neighbours had used this space in their gardens to make a ’lean to’ shed for storage, and one made a bar, so this inspired me to do the same but turn mine into a cat extension. Once I finished it, I discovered on social media that ‘Catios’ were actually ‘a thing’ and becoming increasingly popular.

‘It was so successful I’ve since started breeding Ragdolls, and the kittens love the outdoor space too. I asked a friend who was a joiner to construct the roof and gate for me and then created the interior myself. Since then I have helped another friend build her Catio, and we did it completely DIY.

‘The materials for the roof were around £600 from a local builders’ merchant. However, the real magic – and money-saving –  took place inside the Catio. I painted, decorated and created play areas for the cats myself, all for under £100 –  just by being creative with leftover materials and recycling items where I could.

‘It was quite dark with the roof on so I decided to go with this and make a ‘midnight’ theme under the stars, painting the roof a beautiful dark navy colour called Railings from the Farrow and Ball colour palette. I bought all my paint from my local paint shop, and they mixed exterior paint in this colour for me for £30.

‘Then I scattered leftover Christmas fairy lights on the roof to look like stars and also bought solar-powered string light bulbs from Aldi for £10 a box.

‘My friend had some left-over Astroturf I used for the path, and I bought plum slate chippings for the edges from B&M. I used 2 bags for a total of £8.

‘My garden fence was grey, so I continued this theme on the inside fence walls with leftover paint.

‘I picked up an old drinks cabinet from a pub that had closed down, free of charge, and upcycled this into a cat’s playground using leftover materials.

‘I created ramps from bits of old kitchen kickboard I had left over, cut up bits of wood from my son’s old bunk bed slats and glued on jute rope to make steps and scratching poles. The jute rope was just £10 from Amazon.

‘I decorated the walls with one of my old cat paintings I did many years ago. Then I added an old mirror I picked up for free, some topiary balls from my garden and I bought some artificial ivy panels from IKEA at £5 each.

‘I upcycled the kids’ old drawing table by painting it with the leftover paint. I have previously made YouTube tutorials on jute macrame plant hangers and tie-backs so I used these as decoration/play items.

‘I would definitely do a project like this again. Now that I know Catios are a thing I’ve looked at quite a few, and there are so many great ideas, it’s become very popular. I’ve since helped my friend make one, completely different, which is also available to view on my Instagram and YouTube.

‘I don’t have any specific influences for my DIY work but I do enjoy networking with other female DIYers. I like to inspire females to give DIY a go as so many people I know seem to be afraid of it and rely on their partners rather than do it themselves.’

Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, said: ‘Clare has made such a wonderful enclosed space for her cats, they have the best playground ever! Her bargain supplies show that you don’t have to spend a lot to make a unique space. With some imagination and creativity, you can easily turn supplies some may see as trash into treasure.’

Notes to Editor:
– Would appreciate a link to LatestDeals.co.uk
– LatestDeals.co.uk is a money-saving community with 2 million+ members
– Photos shared with permission
– Want early access to more stories like this? Visit LatestDeals.co.uk/News

The post DIYer Creates Stunning ‘Catio’ Interior For Under £100 With Aldi & IKEA Bargains appeared first on Katzenworld.

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Cats for Cancer Patients: What You Need to Know

Publikováno od autora: Purringtonpost

It’s no surprise that pets play a huge part in people’s lives. The role they play can range from recreation, to working animals, to support, and anything in between. In any case, they provide emotional support and truly can be one of our best friends. It’s safe to assume everyone sees their pet as a support animal, whether or not this is actually the case. However, these pets can actually play a crucial role in our lives when it comes to our health. In fact, trained support animals may help improve the quality of life when going through big changes, like being diagnosed with cancer, being hospitalized, or anything in between.

So what does a cat’s role look like in this scenario?

Having a Cat as a Support Animal

Oftentimes, dogs are the poster child for support animals. Dogs can be trained for physical tasks, can help lead the blind, and can even detect certain foods that may contain allergens. However, there are plenty of other pets that can be considered support animals, which is where cats come in. When it comes to emotional and social well-being, cats can actually provide the same or better results based on the patient.

Through chemotherapy, time in the hospital, and blood tests, the emotional and mental health of a cancer patient can dwindle fast. Their whole lives are changing, and the results can always vary between good news and bad news. This is why the side effects of cancer and hospital time aren’t just physical; they tend to impact our emotional, mental, and even socia well-being.

Cats can be registered as emotional support animals (ESAs), which can actually allow you to have your cat in multiple areas outside the home to ease mental health and emotional health detriments a cancer patient may undergo, both during and after treatment. This means that a patient doesn’t have to give up their cat after diagnosis, it just means coming up with a new plan to provide care on both ends of the pet-owner relationship.

We thought it would be nice to showcase two such therapy cats whom we adore almost as much as the patients that they visit and cheer up!

Meet Mr. London Meow – a remarkable hospital therapy cat, who regularly visits the Royal London Hospital bringing joy and comfort to many of the patient’s there. He’s well known in the cancer and trauma wards and by much of the hospital staff. Who wouldn’t want a visit from this handsome fella!

You can follow and learn more about London Meow on his IG feed at: @mrlondonmeow

Introducing Summer – a former show cat and now therapy cat that is often seen visiting the Cancer Center waiting room of her local hospital. This gorgeous girl is also a regular visitor at the pediatric ward and has even been known to frequent the hospital’s Behavioral Medicine area.

You can follow and learn more about Summer’s adventures on her IG feed at: @summerstravels

Caring for Your Cat While Undergoing Treatment

Personal health is going to be at the forefront of your mind if you’re undergoing a diagnosis or treatment. But, it’s important that you’re caring for your pets along the way. Caring for a cat while taking care of yourself can seem overwhelming, as expected. If you’re lucky enough to have people in your life that can help you, have them help with a few things to ensure that your pets are taken care of during this crazy time.

Removing waste from any place your cat may be able to get into is the first step. This means shelves, underneath beds and tables, countertops, etc. Removing this waste will mean there are less things for your furry friend to get into, and less to worry about when you come home from a long day of treatment. Even taking out the trash and helping with the litter box can go a long way – one less thing to worry about can truly make or break in your emotional health when coming home.

Another step to consider is keeping your cat indoors as much as possible. A lot of cat owners do have cats that are outdoor cats. But, they can potentially bring in diseases that could affect your health. It’s better to have them be a little hyper for the time being, than risk more health concerns. In the same vein, you’ll want to stay on top of vet visits. Working with your vet to help plan visits around your schedule and appointments can seem daunting at first, but will make your life a lot easier if you can gauge when you’ll be feeling up for a vet visit.

Communicating with Your Cancer Team

Outside of vet visits, one thing that can help you as a cat owner and cancer patient is working with your cancer team and communicating effectively. While healthcare professionals are just that, healthcare professionals, reaching out to them about having pets at home can help nurses, doctors, and their administrators come up with a schedule and a plan for undergoing treatment. This means time away from your animals can be more intentional, while still focusing on your health.

They can also tell you if your pets pose a risk to your health; this goes for all pets you may have, not just cats. You never know if having pet rats, snakes, dogs, etc., may be causing more side effects. If that’s the case, it’s a great time to lean on loved ones to help share the responsibility for taking care of your pets. If you aren’t able to work with family and friends for care, finding a cat sitter may be a good route. There are plenty of sites and apps to help, but you can usually find someone who will do daily drop-ins, house-sits, or anything else you may need, both on a regular basis and for impromptu events that may occur.

While planning for cancer can be difficult and tiring, making sure your pets are taken care of is still important. After all, your furry friends are also family! Steps to ensure that your pets are healthy to be around, you’re keeping your home safe for them and you, and much more can truly make a difference in your quality of life as you start to deal with diagnoses, treatment, and much more along the way.

The post Cats for Cancer Patients: What You Need to Know first appeared on The Purrington Post.

The post Cats for Cancer Patients: What You Need to Know appeared first on The Purrington Post.

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Premier Event for Community Cat-Focused Content Offers Online Learning This January

Publikováno od autora: Marc-André

The post Premier Event for Community Cat-Focused Content Offers Online Learning This January appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.

Anywhere, USA (December 20, 2022) – Community Cats Podcast is hosting the sixth annual Online Cat Conference from January 27-29, 2023. This is the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in turning their passion for cats into action.

The Online Cat Conference offers community cat-focused content that will help you or your organization turn your passion for cats into action.

The weekend’s schedule includes sessions and panel discussions on some of the most asked about programs and services, including strategies for managing hoarding situations, how to improve return-to-home rates, current information about Feline Leukemia Virus, and ways for community cat caretakers to mitigate and effectively respond to wildlife concerns. Plus, a brand-new two-part session designed specifically to help community cat program managers, both in shelters and smaller grassroots organizations.

Speakers include experts from The Humane Society of the United States, Best Friends Animal Society, Neighborhood Cats, the MSPCA, Wildlife Freedom Foundation, and many, many more. See the full speaker lineup and session information on the conference website.

Registration is $75.

Registration includes access to the live conference and session recordings after the event. The conference will include the ever-popular cat trivia with great prizes throughout the weekend, as well as access to the private conference Facebook group for further discussion and networking.

Community Cats Podcast thanks its Premier Sponsor, Maddie’s Fund, for making the event possible. Maddie’s Fund offers the industry a national voice, as well as important funding opportunities for bold ideas. They also host the Maddie’s Pet Forum, an online outlet and safe place for those involved in rescue to ask questions, share ideas, and build community with like-minded professionals.

The Community Cats Podcast is the brainchild of Stacy LeBaron. Stacy has been involved in cat welfare for almost 30 years. She started the Community Cats Podcast as a way to virtually connect people who are passionate about cats and helping them in their community. Since 2016, she has released almost 500 episodes of the podcast and hosted over a hundred online events motivating individuals and organizations to think proactively about their cat programs. For more information about Community Cats Podcast, visit communitycatspodcast.com, or get in touch with Stacy directly at stacy@communitycatspodcast.com or 978-239-2090.

The post Premier Event for Community Cat-Focused Content Offers Online Learning This January appeared first on Katzenworld.